Spring 2020 - Issue 2
USDA California Climate Hub
News & Notes
The USDA California Climate Hub within the Agricultural Research Service at the UC Davis John Muir Institute works with partners across federal and state agencies, universities, and industry to help enable climate-informed decision making and advance the adaptive capacity for California's working and managed agricultural, range, and forest lands. Through these newsletters we share news and information of relevance and interest to our stakeholders. We encourage you to get in touch with us if we can be of further service or assistance.
HEATWAVES, EXTREME DROUGHT RETURN TO CALIFORNIA

Extreme drought has returned to Northern California as dry to severe drought conditions expand southward across the state. April rains across Southern California improved drought conditions there over the month, while NorCal continued to dry during the same period, transitioning from moderate to severe or extreme drought. Check out how drought conditions have evolved in California over the past month and refresh your memory on what goes into the making of the Drought Monitor maps .
While SoCal has escaped recent drought conditions, the region has been harder hit by the recent heatwave than the drought-stricken far north, experiencing summertime temperatures months ahead of schedule.

Looking ahead, the Climate Prediction Center is forecasting temperatures to remain above average across the state well into May. Normal-to-below average precipitation is likely over the next few weeks as well, so drought conditions are not likely to improve. What these early hot and dry conditions mean for soil moisture and the wildfire season remains to be seen.
A Climate Change Primer
for Forest Managers in the Sierra Nevada

The California Climate Hub and our Forest Service partners developed a brief summary of the latest science to support forest managers in the Sierra Nevada. By providing a framework for approaching climate change adaptation strategies, the Primer provides a synthesis of guidance to help managers make climate-informed, science-based decisions. Check out the Climate Change Primer here.
Calling All Viticulture Professionals!

We are looking for viticulture professionals (growers, vineyard managers, farm advisors, technical service providers, and others) to participate in a survey on vineyard irrigation decisions during heatwaves. If you or someone you know fit this bill, check out the short survey linked below!
In the Spotlight

Jaeeun Sohng is in this newsletter issue's spotlight. Originally from Korea, Jaeeun has spent the past year as a PhD student in Dr. Sanjai Parikh's lab studying how different types of carbon attach to different types of minerals in the soil, and what this means for managing soil carbon storage on working lands. Jaeeun uses hi-tech approaches to examine microscopic processes, all with the goal of helping agricultural land managers improve their capacity to capture and store carbon!

In the News
A new study by researchers at Stanford shows that climate change has doubled extreme fire weather days.

Scientists from Humboldt State confirm the incredible carbon storage capacity of California's redwood forests.

The title from this LA Times article says it all: How cow poop could help fight climate change

California forest managers might be interested in the upcoming Fire and Climate Summit webinars hosted by the Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center happening throughout May.

USDA's COVID-19 Resources

The USDA has a dedicated website for answering COVID-19 related questions and directing agricultural producers and the public toward USDA-relevant COVID-19 resources, including updates on USDA Service centers and programs .
REMINDER: The Climate Hubs Are Hiring!
Applications are Due May 5th





The Southern Plains Climate Hub is hiring for a new Director! Join a dynamic group of professionals working to deliver regional, science-based information to agricultural producers in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. The position is open to the public and closes on May 5th.
Funding Opportunities
Get Involved!